The Farmland 5K Run and Free for All Bike is Traverse City's winter weather running and biking event held in the spirit of European style cross country held on a dedicated cross country course on private farmland. A classic turfgrass course awaits you with knee high barriers including straw bales, fallen logs, wood fence and stone fence.

Supporting the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities "Taste the Local Difference"TLD is all about food and farming, and by participating in the Farmland events, you help support their mission! Farmland organizers as well as title and presenting sponsors will once again donate $2 from every registered runner toward “Taste the Local Difference,” which connects consumers to locally grown food to increase sales, preserve farmland and create jobs.

“We want to see our community embrace healthy, sustainable living.” says Hans Voss, Executive Director of Groundworks for a Resilient Community. "Eating local year-round is something we really push that can make a big difference to our local economy, and staying active year-round is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Promoting TLD with the Farmland 5K is a perfect fit to illustrate how we can all take advantage of local products and the great outdoors even when there’s snow on the ground.”

Also supporting Norte Youth Cycling!By fostering an enduring relationship with bicycles and advocating for sustainable mobility, Norte! Youth Cycling is strengthening community by developing the next generation of active, engaged, and gritty leaders in Traverse City. $2 of every bike entry will be donated to Norte!

European Style RunningAs a competitive sport, cross-country running began in Europe (Ireland and England) with a game called "hares and hounds" or "the paper chase" in the early 19th century. The Farmland course is like taking a step back in time of running history, and we've added some fun barriers to make it seem even more European!

Traverse over grass or snow and ice, wooded dirt trails, and farmland running terrain. Just like in the olden-days, before paved roads and concrete sidewalks.

Why December?The weather in December is part of the challenge! Participating in the Farmland is naturally tough! Mother nature promises wind, snow, sleet or rain...sowe promise a great course, hot food and great music to warm you up!

The race is dedicated to adventurous folks looking for a change of pace from their usual paved running route. Are you really tough? Rain, sleet, snow, or shine - this event is for you!

Enjoy the natural challenge of running or biking in early December! (event to be held no matter the weather). Traverse over grass or snow and ice, wooded dirt trails, and farmland running terrain. Just like in the olden days, before paved roads and concrete sidewalks. Compete as an individual or as a team and earn unique age group prizes and special awards.

Weather history: on December 3, from 1974 to 2015 is likely to have:

Temperature from 30°F to 34°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 46°F.

Sky overcast 77% of the time.

75% chance that precipitation will be observed at some point during the day.

A Bike Race called the "Free for All!"The Farmland "Free For All" bike event, immediately following the run, has cyclists taking to the running course for 6 laps of fun competition (approximately 12.6 miles total), on any bike you choose. Fat bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, maybe even a unicycle; you’ll see it all on December 3. Awards to the top Fat Bike, Cross Bike, Mountain Bike, Single Speed Bike, and deep awards for all bikes for the 12 and under category.

For the ambitious, we’ll have a combined winner as well. Test your running legs in the 5k, then hop on your steed of choice and give the "Free For All" everything you’ve got left. The combined winners will get awards for their superhuman efforts, measured by their 5k time added to their bike time. There will also be trophies for the winners too, so there’s a lot to fight for.

Other Farmland 5K highlights include:

Off-road running or biking on a challenging dedicated cross country course.

Team Competition makes this event special - Form a Team Now!*Team competition is very important in cross-country running. Teams are made up of a minimum of 5 runners and the order of finish in age group is determined by adding up the places in which team members finish - that is, 1 point is awarded for a first-place age group finish, 2 points for second in age group, and so on. The team with the lowest score wins.

*Register for your team before online closes (All you need is their birthdate!) and save up to $11 per person!